Chiropractic FAQs
- Is Chiropractic care safe?
- What is a Chiropractic adjustment?
- Is Chiropactic care appropriate for
children?
- Am I too old for Chiropractic care?
- For how long will I need Chiropractic
care?
- Do Chiropractic adjustments hurt?
- What results can I expect?
- What is the difference between Chiropractic and
Physiotherapy?
- Approximately how much does a Chiropractic session
cost?
- What should you bring with you or
wear?
- Do you need a referral from a GP?
 1. Is chiropractic care
safe?
In the words of the New Zealand Government’s Inquiry, chiropractic
care is “remarkably safe.” Chiropractic has an excellent
safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health
that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.1
In relation to the treatment of neck and back pain, studies have
shown that a course of chiropractic care was 250 times safer than a
course of anti-inflammatory drugs.2
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2. What is a chiropractic
adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the skill of using a specific
force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated,
“locked up”, or not moving properly. This adds motion to the
joint, helping the joints to gradually regain more normal motion and
function. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to permit
improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved
health.
There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually the chiropractor's
hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and
highly-accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others
require a slow, constant or indirect pressure.
After years of university training and clinical experience, each
chiropractor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of
adjusting approaches.
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 3. Is chiropractic care
appropriate for children?
Since significant trauma can occur at birth, many parents
choose to have their newborns checked for any spinal health related
problems. Later, learning to walk, riding a bicycle, and other childhood
activities can cause spinal health related problems.
While a bandage and some comforting words can help a skinned knee,
the potential underlying structural damage to the child’s spine,
skull, pelvis and extremities is the unique domain of a
chiropractor.
Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as
“growing pains” may be able to be traced to the spine.
Regular chiropractic checkups may be able to identify these problems and
help avoid some of the health complaints seen later in adults.
Naturally, Chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a
child’s spine, particularly babies.
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 4. Am I too old for
chiropractic care?
More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors,
especially in their later years. With growing concerns about
over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription
drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.
Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality,
endurance, and appetite. Many patients report improvements with
arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated with the
aging process. The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be
modified for maximum comfort and results. As we get older and wiser, the
simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and more
obvious.
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5. For how long will I need
chiropractic care?
Spinal problems, neglected since early childhood, may require ongoing
supportive care for optimum spinal function. These long-standing
problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage,
and degenerative changes to the spine.
Most patients find that periodic chiropractic checkups help keep them
in tip-top shape. Those who are active, have stressful jobs, or want to
be their very best, find that a schedule of preventative visits are
helpful in the maintenance of good health.
Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain
becomes unbearable. While this style of “crisis management”
is usually more costly and time consuming, chiropractors stand ready to
help all patients, regardless of their health goals. How long you decide
to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.
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6. Do chiropractic adjustments
hurt?
In most cases, not at all. In fact most people find having an adjustment
very relaxing.
With some adjustments you may sometimes feel or hear popping sound
from the spinal joints. This is simply caused by a gas release from the
joint as spinal movement is restored, such as when a wet glass is
removed from a table. Some Chiropractors use a hand held instrument to
adjust the spine. Others use pelvic blocks to re-align the body. Special
techniques are used for adjusting infants and children. Whatever the
technique, Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength, to conduct a
safe, effective adjustment.
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7. What results can I
expect?
If you’re new to Chiropractic care, you’ll want to know what
type of result you can expect. Individual experience varies from
person to person, but most people can expect some benefits soon after
beginning care and for these to consolidate further as therapy
continues. Statistically too, research shows that Chiropractic
care is more effective and economical and also gives longer lasting
results for disorders of the spine than other forms of health
care.3 4 5
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8. The difference between
Chiropractic and Physiotherapy?
In understanding the difference between Chiropractic and Physiotherapy,
we recommend referring to the definition of each practice. Chiropractic
is a health care discipline based on the scientific premise that the
body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. The practice of
Chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily
the spine, and pelvis) and function (as coordinated by the nervous
system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and
restoration of health. Physiotherapy, as described by the Australian
Physiotherapy Association, “uses a variety of techniques to help
your muscles and joints work to their full potential. It can help repair
damage by speeding up the healing process and reducing pain and
stiffness.
Each individual is different and must make their own choice about the
most appropriate method of care for them. We believe Chiropractic, with
its central focus on the spine, nervous system and their impact on
entire body provides a health care option that can help manage pain as
well as assist in achieving optimal well-being.
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9. Approximately how much
does a Chiropractic session cost?
Chiropractors have varying initial consultation fees, depending on the
needs of the individual. Some may adjust on first visit, and some may
not, or sometimes an x-ray may be taken. Generally first consults are
approx. $65 - $120, and regular visits around $40 - $55.
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 10. What should you bring
with you and wear?
Most Chiropractors will take care of people in the clothes they come in
with. However any bulky clothing, such as a heavy winter jacket or thick
jumper would need to be removed. A small percentage of Chiropractors
will require their clients to be gowned.
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11. Do you need a referral from
a GP?
Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners therefore a referral
is not necessary. However more and more GP's are referring to
Chiropractors via the Enhanced Primary Care Program (EPC).
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1 Chiropractic in New Zealand: Report of the
Commission of Inquiry. (1979). Hasselberg PD, Government Printer,
Wellington, New Zealand
2 Dabbs,V., & Lauretti,W.J. (1995). A Risk
Assessment of Cervical Manipulation vs NSAIDs for the Treatment of Neck
Pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics,
18(8), 530-536
3 Meade TW, Dyer S, Browne W, Townsend J, Frank AO.
(1990) Low Back Pain of Mechanical Origin: Randomised Comparison of
Chiropractic and Hospital Outpatient Treatment. The British Medical
Journal 300: 1431-7
4 Manga P, Angus D et al (1993) The Effectiveness and
Cost-Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low Back Pain. Pran
Manga and Associates, University of Ottawa, Canada.
5 Shekelle PG, Adams AH, Chassin MR et al. (1991) AHThe
Appropriateness of Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain: Indications
and Ratings by a Multidisciplinary Panel. Santa Monida, Calif: RAND
Copr, 1991
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